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General News of Monday, 30 June 2003

Source: GNA

Agana retains Tema ICU chairman position

Tema, June 30, GNA - The Tema branch of the Industrial and Commercial Workers Union (ICU) on Monday held elections for its executive members amidst confusion and protestation at its regional delegates conference at Tema.

Soon after the meeting started, Mr Wilson Agana, current chairman of the Tema branch of the ICU protested against a secular allegedly released by his opponents to the effect that he (Mr Agana) had stepped down his position and was not contesting the elections.

He described the move as false, unfair and a calculated attempt by his opponents to bring him down and this delayed the function for about three hours and finally took off at 12.45 instead of 10 am.

Some delegates claimed that their invitation letters to the conference was received a day before the conference day while others were not given notice at all and so could not have enough time to lobby.

To this end, some of the delegates called for a postponement of the conference to ensure that the procedures for holding elections and conferences were applied but Mr Napoleon Kpoh, General Secretary of the national ICU cleared the air that once they were all present they were recognised as accredited delegates.

Not withstanding, the issue was put into motion and 90 out of the 114 delegates voted for the conference to proceed while ten voted for postponement. In spite of the unfolding situation, with 59 votes Mr Agana retained his chairmanship position to beat Mr Sam Atiemo Debrah who had 55 points, while Madam Agnes Abrokwah was returned unopposed.

For the secretaryship, Mr Daniel Bruce Ghartey won landslide votes of 92 to kick out Mr Andy Okine and Mr Jacob Binah who had nine and seven votes respectively.

Mr Isaiah Nartey took the post of first trustee with 61 points to beat Madam Mary Aduamoah who had 21 votes for her self and Mr Nicholas Mensah 20. Mr Alidu Abubakar won the position of the second trustee with 55 points while madam Charlotte Addow lost with 52 votes; there were two other executives members.

Mr Kpoh later swore in the executive members into a four-year term of office and asked them not to lord it over the entire members but rather serve and seek their views in all deliberations to ensure true democracy.

To the union members, the General Secretary cautioned against unproductive attitudes but rather support the executives with their rich ideas and offer constructive and meaningful suggestions for the smooth running of the union. Mr Agana thanked the delegates for the confidence reposed in them and pledged to work assiduously to uplift the image of the union.